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The Red Badge of Courage
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
The story of a young soldier, Henry Fleming, who flees a Civil War battle, The Red Badge of Courage has been celebrated for its depiction of both the physical action of battle and the protagonists internal struggle. Despite the precise and vivid descriptions of the scenes of battle in his fiction, Stephen Crane was not born until six years after the war had ended and never saw military service. His novel altered the tradition of war literature in its naturalistic emphasis on a single, ordinary man facing the horrors of battle. This edition includes an important new introduction by James Nagel, author of the book Stephen Crane and Literary Impressionism and former president of the Stephen Crane Society. Historically significant reviews and commentary from the publication of the novel in 1895 are included, along with the deleted Chapter 12 from the novel. The short story The Veteran, in which the protagonist appears as an elderly man, is also included.
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Schwifty
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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Mehso-so

I didn‘t hate it. I didn‘t love it. As others have said, this novella is essentially a highly descriptive inner psychological struggle in a civil war battle setting. I can appreciate it for what it is, but it wasn‘t terribly satisfying as drama or thriller or historical fiction. The 19th century penchant for writing dialogue in dialect isn‘t particularly appealing to me either (like Dickens novels and Huck Finn).

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104_goodbuddyy
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
Mehso-so

I love war stories, but this one was so… dull. There was too much description that didn‘t add to the plot. However, my biggest issue was the ending. Our protagonist was a young adult who saw glory in war, but when he finally got to fight, he fled. He saw people die. He killed people. Yet, in the end, he was barely affected by it. He thought about it for a little bit and then just moved on. The story‘s idea was so good, but it fell so flat.

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JuliaTheBookNerd
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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This was my Grandmother‘s book, then my mother‘s book and now my book but I have yet to read it 😬

#BeenOnShelf4Ever 📚 #BookMoods 😊📚

#BookNerd 🤓💙📚

Eggs ❤️🖤❤️ 2y
53 likes1 stack add1 comment
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persephone1408
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️ 🇺🇸 👍🏻 3y
Eggs Well done ❤️😔📚 3y
13 likes2 comments
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Ruthiella
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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Mehso-so

I read a lot of 19th century lit and I think my disconnect with this title is due solely to Crane‘s convoluted writing style. The book is only 100 pages and it took me A WEEK to finish. What it did convey well was the confusion in US Civil War battles...no modern communication methods to deploy troops, etc. The evolution of young Henry Fleming from naive recruit to seasoned soldier was less interesting to me.

#Booked2021 Under 150 pages.

Cinfhen I feel like I read this in school but I can‘t remember a single thing about it 😬Wonderful honest review 3y
Tamra Same here, I don‘t remember a thing about it! 🙃 3y
Ruthiella @Cinfhen @Tamra If I had trouble reading this at 55, I can‘t imagine how much harder it would have been at 15! 😬😅 3y
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Ruthiella #14Books14Weeks2021. Book 10 (edited) 3y
BarbaraTheBibliophage Writing from the past is often a challenge to muddle through just because of the stylistic differences. 3y
Ruthiella @BarbaraTheBibliophage I love Dickens and Trollope but Crane? Not so much! 😂 3y
47 likes6 comments
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ChaoticMissAdventures
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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Mehso-so

This was fine. Man loves him some idioms doesn't he? I guess that is a reason to pick a very old and bloody novella to teach to children?
Appreciate this for what it is- first American book to accurately describe war w/o romanticizing it, the language is good, I had to look up if ironical was an actual word we could use....
It ends a big abruptly and overall it is fairly boring but "fine"

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CrowCAH
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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Honor for those who have fallen for my USA freedom! #MemorialDay 🇺🇸

Lcsmcat Just so you know, this story is about a deserter. I‘m not offended because I‘m a pacifist, but I hope you don‘t get flack for posting this book today. 4y
CrowCAH @Lcsmcat I know the main character ran away from the fighting; I‘ve read it. But I chose it more for the “courage” those who fought show in the story; they died for a cause. Thanks for the concern. 4y
47 likes2 comments
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BeansPage
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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I got a Traveling Book today in the mail!

Thank you @Kaila-ann I will read it and pass it along!
❤️💌❤️

Kaila-ann Wow, that was quick! Glad it made it and hope you enjoy it!! 😊❤️ 5y
BeansPage @Kaila-ann 😘 5y
50 likes2 comments
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Ellen_C
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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Mehso-so

As part of a reading bingo challenge, I re-read a book from my school days, and I chose one I remembered not liking. I still don‘t like it! While it presents a pretty honest picture of the horrors of war, it also kind of makes it seem glorious and the main character doesn‘t change much as a result of battle, IMO. https://cannonballread.com/2019/07/the-red-badge-of-courage-elcicco/

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Lcsmcat
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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I‘ve read all of these, and the tagged was probably my least favorite. But it‘s the hardest to read the title of, so 🤷🏻‍♀️ #spellMarchWithBookTitles #literaryluck @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @vkois88 @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🙌🏻❤️ 6y
58 likes1 comment
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CrowCAH
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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#MusicalNewYear #CarryingTheBanner
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oECt8v1ehHw

The hero‘s shining moment was when he carried the banner across the battlefield! 🇺🇸

vivastory Definitely a classic 👌 6y
Cinfhen Beautiful pick 6y
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mab-solenne
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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"He could not rage in fierce arguments in the presence of such sandwiches. During his meals he always wore an air of blissful contemplation of the food he had swallowed. His spirit seemed then to be communing with the viandes."

Haha

#eloquence #beef

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Eggs
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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📕red badge of courage
🖌 rainbow rowell
🎥 rear window
🧀 romano cheese
#manicmonday #letterr @JoScho

JoScho 😘❤️ 6y
55 likes1 comment
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eedevore
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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New favorite word = helitywhoop.

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InnerSavvy
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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Pickpick

I have wanted to read this but I just couldn't get myself to do it. it's a real short audio. Glad I read it, very good, descriptive, flowing language.

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eedevore
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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When I read this for the first time a few years ago, I loved it. This time around, I have to read it aloud or I find myself turning the page and not remembering a thing I read on the page before. This is not boding well for my first attempt at teaching this book coming up in a few weeks. (Also, Rye does not want me to read this aloud to her.)

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annwithane
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
Panpan

It seems silly to review a book so widly read; my opinion can hardly matter. Suffice to say that I wasn't compelled enough to enjoy more than the elaborate language.

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BeansPage
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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Happy Memorial Day #Littens ! Don't forget why we celebrate ❤️ 🇺🇸✨🎉

http://www.latimes.com/books/jacketcopy/la-et-jc-25-essential-memorial-day-books...

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CrowCAH
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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Pickpick

#Audiobook #ReadingResolutions

Finished this audiobook on my way to and from my sisters!

An introspective tale of a lads choice to join the American Civil War and how he faces battle.

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Sarah83
Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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SilversReviews I remember this book from high school. Thanks. 7y
30 likes1 comment
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starrdom
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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Panpan

Total slogfest. I just can't get into the retelling of battles. They totally confuse me. Also I don't know the difference between things like a division and a regiment and I have to confess that I am too lazy to look it up.

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aurora.dawn
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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I'm trying to catch up on some reading for class while snuggling with my fur baby. I'd say it's a good morning. 😊

Tanzy13 🐱 7y
34 likes1 comment
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litznbooks
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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I visit a second hand book shop on my way home. I just want to admire and smell the old books. But who am I kidding? Here's to another #bookhaul on top of super-mega-immense #tbr books at home. Seriously, I cannot keep track of them anymore. 😂 Maybe I will get to read this pile next month or next year or a year after that. I just really need to buy them now. Uhmm .. You get me right? 🤗😌

[DELETED] 3803335244 I totally get you! ☺️ I haven't read Red Badge of Courage, I have it. A read I need to get too. 7y
11 likes1 comment
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readem_andweep
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
Panpan

I wanted to like this, but I just found it to be slow and uninteresting. I can see why it's a classic, just not my cup of tea. 1.5/5 stars

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JacintaMCarter
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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I'd say a kid fighting in the Civil War is pretty much the epitome of the #AmericanBoy. #LyricalApril

Cinfhen You took it wayyyy back! Nice choice 👍🏻🇺🇸 8y
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Celeste57
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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This was the first #bookaboutwar I ever read, along with some other classics that take place during a war. #marchmadness

Smangela I honestly am not positive I've read The Red Badge of Courage! Either that or I read it in school and just can't quite recall it 8y
Celeste57 @Smangela I read it in 4th grade. One of my first classics! 8y
14 likes2 comments
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LittleMountainLibrary
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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Pickpick

This book was definitely interesting. Not enjoyable per say, but a fascinating look at the psychology of war and battle.

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Kristy_K
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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Panpan

I have a feeling a lot of people will like this as it mainly focuses on a young soldier on the side of the Union in the Civil War who wages a battle internally as much as externally. Unfortunately, I found it incredibly boring and had a hard time retaining what I read. I kept trying to get a deeper meaning out of this, but it couldn't hold my attention long enough to do so.
#litsyatoz #letterR

Alfoster Agree. It's a snoozefest😵 8y
TheWordJar Had to read it in college. Hated it! 8y
Kristy_K @Alfoster @TheWordJar I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way! 8y
Alfoster @Kristy_K @TheWordJar I had to teach it in high school! We got through that thing in 3 days so I could be done with it!!😜😜 8y
Kristy_K @Alfoster Haha! Love this. 8y
31 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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EmiMilly
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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"He tried mathematically to prove to himself that he would not run from a battle...In his life he had taken certain things for granted...bothering little about means and roads...He was forced to admit that as far as war was concerned he knew nothing of himself." (Page 16-17) #stephencrane #theredbadgeofcourage

MrBook Great book. This is quite tardy, but better late than never? Welcome to @Litsy ! 😊👍🏻 8y
EmiMilly Thank you so much @MrBook !! I'm still trying to get the hang of it but enjoying it so far! 8y
MrBook 😊👍🏻 8y
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Ber135
Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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About to start reading this classic, just to get to something different. I will try to make this the last book of the month and finish with it before February begins. It is pretty small so lets get into it! #tbr #nextbook #classic #quickread

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Kristy_K
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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34 likes2 stack adds
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little_hopeful_library
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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Studying the Realistic Era in American Literature currently

About a young soldier fighting for the first time in the Civil War. He constantly struggles with the fear of running in battle while simultaneously wanting to be a hero.

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Caterina
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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Alright guys, I think I'm in for the #litsyreadingchallenge2017!
For "written by someone your age," is it okay if they weren't born the same year as me but published the book when they were the same age as me? It's hard because I'm only turning 23 next year. But apparently Crane was 23 when he published The Red Badge of Courage, so can that count? Also, what's "recommended by..." mean? Recommended by anyone? And how do I find an indie publisher?

LindsayReads For these kinds of challenges, I think the interpretation is fairly flexible. So...yes! 😉 (that doesn't help at all, does it?) 8y
Marchpane Are you on Goodreads? There's a group for this challenge where some of these things are being discussed. Someone posted suggestions for indie publishers, for example. 8y
PurpleyPumpkin I think the "recommended by" prompt relates to anyone who suggests a book to you. And for prompts that you're not sure about or can't think of an appropriate book, try browsing the bookshelves on GR. I find that lots of great books are added there and it really is a wealth of info. There's already a couple of recs posted for indie publishers and I'm sure there's more to come! 8y
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Caterina @LindsayReads Haha it helps a bit! At least yes is the answer I want to hear. 😁 8y
Caterina @Marchpane @PurpleyPumpkin I'm not on Goodreads, but I'll try checking out this group! Thank you! 8y
DeborahSmall Also check the tag #recommendsday I've recommended a couple on here, do that what I'll be using. My damn printer is out of ink and I can't print by card out!! Looking forward to this and the @AtoZ one too ❤️👍🏼 8y
Theresa Here's one of the Book Riot recommendations for info press. (I remember because it's what plan to read for this prompt. 😁) 8y
Marchpane @DeborahSmall what a great idea for "recommended by"! Thanks! 8y
27 likes8 comments
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LittleMountainLibrary
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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This one has been on my TBR list for years. Finally starting it.

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Seekingtardis
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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#readinschool I hated this book with a fiery passion. I love books and I loved all of my Lit classes in school, except freshman year when the teacher was more involved in upper class mens lives than teaching anyone anything. She was awful and made us quietly read this book for 3 months!!!!!!!!!! I was done in the first week and she didn't believe me, even though I tested at a 100% on it. #photoadaynov16 @RealLifeReading

Alfoster Yikes! What torture! As an English teacher I could never even force myself to teach it!😝😝 8y
Seekingtardis @Alfoster bless you!!! Also thank you for being a teacher and a awesome one at that!! 😍😍🦄 8y
becausetrains @Seekingtardis three months?? It isn't that complex! If you are gonna assign books about the difficult personal decisions people make during wartime, at least make it a unit with other books like 8y
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BooksForYears I remember reading this as part of a middle school reading list and not liking it at all. 8y
Alfoster @Seekingtardis Yes, perfect combo! One day on RBOC and the rest on The Things They Carried! 8y
BillBlume I actually enjoyed this book in high school, but I've come to recognize it's a very polarizing book. People who hate it tend to want to fling it into a fire. 8y
Seekingtardis @becausetrains exactly. It was the only time I ever tried to switch classes! 8y
Seekingtardis @BooksForYears 👏🏻 high five friend! 8y
Seekingtardis @BillBlume I will never get over hating it, I've tried to re read, but it is because I associate it so much with that class! But bless you for being strong of mind and being able to enjoy it. 8y
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Libby1
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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Pickpick

I had stayed away from this in fear that it may glorify warfare.

This it does not do, as it focuses completely on the thoughts and impressions of the main character.

The colour and nature imagery stand out starkly against the chaos of war.

4/5 stars

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GoneFishing
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane

He suddenly lost concern for himself, and forgot to look at a menacing fate. He became not a man but a member. He felt that something of which he was a part—a regiment, an army, a cause, or a country—was in a crisis. He was welded into a common personality which was dominated by a single desire. For some moments he could not flee no more than a little finger can commit a revolution from a hand.

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Jono
The Red Badge of Courage | Stephen Crane
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The battle was like the grinding of an immense and terrible machine to him. Its complexities and powers, its grim processes, fascinated him. He must go close and see it produce corpses.

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